One Poem by Rachel Chatham

Eighteen & Beautiful

eighteen and beautiful
and paid by the lifetime
what are you dreaming about?
what are you dreaming about?

a woman sits at a bar
smiles at a man
the prayer of skin against skin;
eighteen and beautiful

everyone needs a cause so they can touch greatness
so we pull off clothing
and draw each other close
a final act of faith
the trust in something immortal:

eighteen and beautiful
how old are you?
a million.
young enough to be surprised.
what are you dreaming about?

a woman sits at a bar
smiles at a man
because what are we if not people?
—the things men do to men—

I won’t go to hell for not moving
and you won’t go to hell for screaming
the road to heaven is paved with good intentions…

eighteen and beautiful
what happens when “be yourself” becomes “be just like me”?
when do you forget how to be lonely?
when do you learn how to hope?

a woman sits at a bar
smiles at a man
through crystal glasses and melting ice
and the prayer of skin brushing skin

everyone needs a cause to touch greatness
we’re all eighteen and beautiful
and what sinner or saint can script a final curtain
in a world that has none?

{Poem by Rachel Chatham}